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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Faculty Senate Fall '08 Update


This time last year I challenged the senate membership to work toward becoming a “functional” model, one that protects faculty rights and initiates change on campus.  While the events surrounding last year’s presidential search process were disturbing, they did serve to mobilize the MCC community, demonstrating the passion and commitment we have for the mission of our institution. I’m extremely proud of the role the Faculty Senate played, in conjunction with the Faculty Association, CSEA, Student governments and grassroots organizations, in protecting the academic and educational integrity of MCC.

For educators, the start of a new academic year is one full of hope – and this fall should be no different.  Board Chair Richard Guon has pledged to lead the Board’s search for the next president in a way that is free of political influence.  While such a statement is nice, the true measure of this commitment will be the Board’s actions under his leadership.  The Board’s decision to recommend Dr. Tyree as the interim president was a positive and critical step in bringing a fresh and objective perspective to the position and the search to find a permanent appointment for it. Additionally, Mr. Guon has arranged a joint meeting of individuals representing the Faculty Senate, Faculty Association, Student Government, President’s Office, the MCC Board of Trustees and SUNY to discuss ideas for “inclusion in the development of the search process.”  The Faculty Senate leadership is committed to continuing our work to ensure MCC’s next president is one who understands the community college mission and possesses the demonstrated experience and vision necessary to lead this institution.

In the meantime, MCC’s interim president Dr. Tyree has made it known he wants to be invited into our classrooms, not for any evaluative purposes, but rather simply as a reminder of the real reason MCC exists.  While Dr. Tyree intends to leave the “vision” of MCC to the strategic planning of Mr. Flynn’s permanent replacement, he is able, willing and intent on addressing the tactical issues we face in carrying out our mission.  While the appointment of a permanent president may be “on hold,” the work of the College under Dr. Tyree’s leadership is not.  Dr. Larry Tyree has pledged to move MCC forward and I’m looking forward to our efforts to do the same. 
 

Terri Tugel
President, Faculty Senate
09/10/2008